Let me be real with you for a second. I remember the old days of banking—rushing to the branch before it closed at 5 PM, waiting in that long line, only to realize I forgot to endorse the cheque. Not fun.
Now? I actually smile a little when someone hands me a cheque. Because I know exactly How to deposit a cheque in Bank of America using nothing but my phone, and it takes about 90 seconds.
If you’re a Bank of America customer and you’ve got a cheque burning a hole in your pocket, here’s exactly how to get that money into your account without leaving home.
What is mobile cheque deposit and why use it?
Mobile cheque deposit lets you deposit a cheque into your Bank of America account by taking photos of the front and back with the Bank of America mobile app. It saves time, eliminates trips to branches or ATMs, and makes deposits possible 24 hours a day. It is secure and processed by the bank just like a teller deposit.
What You Need Before Depositing a Cheque with Your Phone
- Smartphone with a working camera and internet access.
- Bank of America mobile app installed from the Apple App Store or Google Play and an active online banking login.
- The cheque properly endorsed on the back. Endorsement should include your signature and the phrase “For Bank of America mobile deposit only” or similar wording required by the bank.
- Good lighting and a flat, plain background to take clear photos.
- Patience to review and confirm the deposit details before submitting.
Step-by-Step: How to Deposit a Cheque in the Bank of America App
- Open the Bank of America app and log in. Use your online ID and passcode, or biometric login if enabled.
- Choose the Deposit Checks option. This is usually in a quick action menu or under Services.
- Select the account (checking or savings) where you want the cheque deposited.
- Enter the cheque amount. Type the exact amount shown on the cheque. Double check to avoid errors.
- Take photos of the front and back. Place the cheque on a dark, flat surface in bright, even light. Align the cheque inside the onscreen guide. The app typically auto-captures when the image is clear.
Review everything
Before you hit that final button, take five seconds to look at what you’ve done.
- Is the amount right?
- Is the account right?
- Can you read everything in the photos?
Hit submit – Go ahead and tap that deposit button. You’ll see a spinning wheel for a few seconds, then a success screen. This screen will show a confirmation number. Take a screenshot of it. I’m serious. Do it now. You’ll thank me later if something goes wrong.
What to do with the physical cheque: Store it safely for at least 14 days and mark it with the deposit date and mobile deposit notation. Only destroy it after the deposit clears and you confirm the funds.
How Long It Takes for Funds to Become Available
This is the question everybody asks right after hitting submit.
Most cheques clear within one to two business days. But here’s the thing—weekends don’t count. If you deposit on a Friday night, don’t expect to see that money until Tuesday or Wednesday.
A few things affect how fast it clears:
- How much the cheque is for. Bigger amounts sometimes take longer.
- What kind of cheque it is. Government and payroll cheques usually clear faster than handwritten ones from your cousin.
- Your account history. If you’ve been with Bank of America for years and always have money in your account, they trust you more. New accounts sometimes face longer holds.
You can check the status anytime in the app under “Deposit History” or just look at your recent transactions.
Common problems and how to fix them
Blurry or rejected images
- Use bright, even lighting and a dark, non-reflective background.
- Hold the phone steady and let the app auto-capture. Avoid shadows or glare.
- Ensure the whole cheque is in frame and text is readable.
Incorrect amount entered
- Double check the numeric box on the cheque before submitting. If you submit the wrong amount, contact customer support or wait for the bank to notify you of a mismatch.
Endorsement errors
- Sign the back of the cheque and add the phrase required by the bank. Vague endorsements or missing signatures are frequent causes of rejection.
Deposit shows pending or returned
- Pending is normal while the bank verifies the cheque. If it is returned, review the rejection reason in the app and follow instructions, which may include visiting a branch with the original cheque.
Exceeded daily limit
- If a cheque exceeds your mobile deposit limit, visit a branch or use an ATM that accepts cheque deposits.
Security and best practices
- Use the official Bank of America app only. Do not use unsecured browser pages or third party apps.
- Keep login credentials private and use biometric login where available for convenience and security.
- Retain the physical cheque until the deposit fully clears. Mark it to avoid accidental re-deposit.
- Check deposit records in the app and save confirmation numbers for your records.
When You Should Just Go to a Branch
Mobile deposit is great, but it’s not always the answer. Here’s when I still drag myself to a real bank.
The cheque is huge. Like, really huge. If it’s way above your usual deposits or just feels like too much money to trust to a photo, go see a teller.
Your deposit keeps failing. If you’ve tried twice and the app keeps rejecting your pictures or the amount, something might be wrong with the cheque itself. Let a human figure it out.
The cheque looks damaged. Torn, faded, stained, written in weird ink—these confuse the scanning system.
You need the money today. If you absolutely, positively need cash right now, mobile deposit won’t cut it. You’ll have to go in person.
Bottom Line
Knowing how to deposit a cheque in Bank of America by mobile makes banking faster and more convenient. Prepare your phone and cheque, follow the app prompts carefully, keep the physical cheque until the deposit clears, and check deposit limits and availability in the app.
If you run into problems, clear photos, correct endorsement, and confirming the amount will solve most issues.
Now go get that money deposited.
Have questions about your specific situation? Drop them in the comments below. And if you found this helpful, share it with someone who’s still standing in line at the bank.
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